Demolition Begins At Rumored To Be Haunted Northville Psychiatric Hospital

NORTHVILLE TOWNSHIP (WWJ) - A former psychiatric hospital that shut down 15 years ago is finally meeting the wrecking ball.

Northville Psychiatric Hospital, at 7 Mile and Haggerty roads, opened in the 1950s and closed in 2003. As the buildings fell into disrepair, the property became a hotspot for urban explorers, many of whom claim the hospital is haunted. The township has spent millions on security and maintenance to keep people off the property, but hundreds are still ticketed each year for trespassing.

Although the state sold the land years ago, the former hospital's remaining structures, as well as two miles of underground tunnels, still remain on a 350-acre parcel.Northville Township purchased the site in part in 2009 and plans call for it to become a recreational park, but progress has stalled -- until now.

Video of Northville Regional Psychiatric Hospital Drone Fly Over

Demolition began on the property this week. There will not be an implosion, so it will be a slow process, with the buildings being taken down piece by piece.

Residents are welcoming the sight of bulldozers ready to level the old hospital.

"It should be torn down, yeah. It looks like an eyesore," said Louis Woodard.

Brian Buckmaster, who lives across the street, is excited to see what happens with the property.

"It's very expensive to keep up, I realize that, but I think they should just get the money and knock all those buildings down," he said. "I think it would be a great park."